Sitting Pretty - Chapters 8 and Epilogue
After reading Sitting Pretty, which scene from the book will you remember the most?
Sitting Pretty - Chapters 1 & 2
1. How important is the concept of the body in your culture? 2. In what ways does your country/community in which you live tackle the problems disabled people face every day? Please make a reply to this post and you can comment on other's posts as well! Please include your name and country on your post.
I most remembered the scene in chapter 8 in which the main character was looking with her boyfriend for an apartment for them. I think it was a very touching scene when he cried and said why there was no place in the city where she could live. This shows how much he loves her and would want the best for her.
ReplyDeleteThe scene I will remember the most is when the author describes how she felt at the swimming pool with other girls. It was very touching when at every party, sleepover, or just a meeting with friends she was feeling out of the group, not included, and lonely. It was a big change of perspective because, from her childhood memories, she describes herself as a beautiful princess and just a completely normal girl. Then, when the kids started to point her out, her self-esteem went down and she started to feel alienated and alone. It is very sad when people around us can bring us down - and as a kid, it's very hard to overcome and understand this problem.
DeleteThe scene i will remember the most is probably the whole chapter about her having classes with her students and their perspectives on disability, i think some of the things they said were really disrespectful and just hard to read that’s why it was so memorable.
ReplyDeleteI was about to write the same thing! I think that chapter really expressed what the book was trying to convey. I also remember the chapter about kindness vividly
DeleteHello, Dominik Benesz here again! Sitting Pretty has a lot of interesting and quite memorable moments. If I were to choose the one that will be remembered, honestly, I'd choose the epilogue scene, where Taussig expresses her gratitude for 'sitting with all these words', as she says, for hearing her story, as well as her greatest wish of us being there with her during the development of the story. She also shares some words of wisdom which resonated with me when I read them, that we should begin to explore depths of future by listening, by allowing others to express their deepest feelings and experiences. That's why this part especially is the most memorable one for me.
ReplyDeleteThe thing that stayed in my mind the most is when Taussing explained to one of the students how everyone is disabled in some way. As an example, she used a group of people communicating with each other using sign language, illustrating that for this particular group, those who do not know sign language could be considered as the ones disabled in this situation
ReplyDeleteI was about to write the same scene. It was so impressive for me because she taught everyone could be disabled depending on the context, as she explained in the example of the sign language. I think it’s all related to the standards and what is commonly ‘normal’ or not. The ones who represent the minority will be the disabled, but in fact it all depends on the context and the circumstances.
DeleteAfter reading Sitting Pretty, I will never forget the chapter 'Feminist Pool Party.' This chapter touched me the most. In this part of the book, the author is telling about her childhood memories of feeling excluded from birthday parties, particularly sleepovers, and the struggle to fit in with other girls. I believe that a lot of young people who experience a sense of difference have had the same situation. Moreover, I liked the transitions to a present-day scene at a party where the author, now an adult, reflects on her sense of belonging among other women. That was a great example for me.
ReplyDeleteI think the chapter that will stay with me is the one about students that she had classes with. Reading about their reactions, opinions and the way that she was trying so hard to make them understand was really frustrating and sad.
ReplyDeleteHello, my name is Krzysztof Masternak. I'm student UAS Nysa. The chapter that movies me the most is the chapter "More than a Defect" This chapter challenges stigmatizing views and advocates for a more inclusive and compassionate unterstanding of disability. This one emphasizes that individuals with individuals with disabilities. are not defined by their conditions but are whole and valuable human beings. I know what it's like to live with a physical disability, but in a sense I am mentally disabled because I have Asperger's syndrone which is the lowest degree of autism.
ReplyDeleteHello everyone!
ReplyDeleteFor me the most memorable moment was when the main character decided to work as a volunteer and later it turned out that she was given 0 points for her contribution. :( It was a sad experience but it is very true and it happens often that the disabled are treated in this unfair way. Let's be real for one another!
Kind regards,
Faustyna
Hello
ReplyDeleteMy favoruite scene was the moment of the main characters first wedding. It was significant for me becouse it showed fhet that people with disabilities can find love, very often they don't belibe in it. The truth od that the road to find other half if difficult, bit surely there will be a person who will appreciate it for what ypu are and not what you look like
Hello, after reading "Sitting Pretty" I have to say it was an memorable experience in it's entirety, but the scene that stuck with me the most has to be the epilogue. Thanking us for listening to her words and hearing her story. i think that the entire book has given us something to think about, especially about the various things that we may seem as merely minor inconveniences, people who cannot walk will see as a barrier instead.
ReplyDeleteFor me, the most memorable scene from the book comes from the chapter "The Price of Your Body". It was when she was at the summer camp with her friend. All was well until the girls discovered the work they'd been doing was just... made up. In Rebekah's words, "the camp seemed to have invented these positions for us in order to give us something to do - to make us feel included." I can't even begin to imagine how devastating that must've been for her to discover - imagine thinking you've been doing valuable work, giving your best just like everyone around you, but then find a '0' next to your name. This scene definitely moved me and it is one I'll be remembering for a long time.
ReplyDeleteMany scenes were memorable to me but one that was hard to read and accept. When Tausing taught the class she tried to present her perspective of being disabled. Many words were hurtful and disrespectful.
ReplyDeleteFor me, the most memorable moment from the book was the story from Chapter 7, "The Complications of Kindness." The author described a situation where, after shopping, she tries to put groceries into her car, and a man in the parking lot offers to help. When she declines, he observes her, making her feel uncomfortable, prompting her to ask him to leave. The moment she wrote about, where it brought her to tears, made me reflect on when assistance is an act of kindness and when it becomes a burden to the other person.
ReplyDeleteIt seems that in the context of individuals with disabilities, people often feel overly compelled to help, even when the assistance may be unnecessary. There's an assumption that people with a disability might not be capable of managing daily tasks, even if they are accustomed to them and handle them easily. This situation makes me consider that the next time I encounter someone with a disability, I'll offer help when it's truly needed, without assuming incapacity solely based on their disability.
For me as the reddit user the most memorable moment from this book was the story from chapter 2 about reddit thread. the reason for this is probably that the reddit is used by nerds just like me and reading about reddit users doing most reddit thing is really funny.
ReplyDeleteI don't have a specific moment, but my favorite part is chapter 6 - "Feminist Pool Party". I like how it goes in depth about Taussig's early life, and later how it affected her social interactions. It was interesting, though saddening to see how, despite being able to relate well to other women, sharing many of the traits considered feminine, and in general agreeing with them, these several differences due to her disability made her feel disconnected.
ReplyDeleteMany experiences, be it positive or negative like catcalling, that Taussig couldn't say she had, heavily affected her, to the point of even secretly wanting to be objectified to be able to feel like other women, which is, in a way, terrifying. On the bright side, it later helped her fight for inclusivity, highlighting that movements like feminism should focus on pushing for equality of all groups, not just selected individuals. It's not something I would expect a person to feel, so reading about it was certainly captivating and valuable
Sara Cybulska (PANS Nysa, Poland) Hi:) Maybe it's not the scene that I liked but the one I remembered the most. The scene took place in second hand store where there were 2 disabled people waiting to use the dressing room. A couple was using the dressing room with access, because they needed more space. In my opinion, it wasn't a good reason. Rebekah and the other lady were waiting for them to leave but when they finally did, the lady quickly apologised and that's all. Rebekah came in and even she was feeling bad that she didn't let the older lady come in first. That scene made me feel sad because there are still people that don't respect others' needs and very often, people who need help are the most helpful.
ReplyDeleteProbably the scene in which a man hurt Ms Taussig by offering to help in a wrong way and through doubting her ability to take care of herself made it ultimately harder for her, despite good intentions. It resembled a similar situation from my life and made me think a bit how this situation could have been prevented. Even though I wouldn’t shame the man for attempting to help his approach could have been much better, the same goes Miss Taussig.
ReplyDeleteKacper Zybert (Nysa, Poland)
ReplyDeleteMy favourite part of the book was in chapter 7 "The Complications of Kindness". It was the scene of a group trip. Rebekah's boyfriend back then Sam insisted on carrying her through caves. Rebekah declined the offer several times, but he kept on not just insisting anymore, more like begging. Sam begged out loud so everyone could hear him, so Taussig at last agreed. What I like was not the story itself, but the thoughts afterwards of how someone can use a person with a disability to be seen as kind or selfless. Sam knew Rebekah didn't care about the caves, but he insisted so everyone could see him. It made me think about how we are somewhat programmed to help people with a disability and we do it not because we want, but because we have to, so we wouldn't be seen as a bad person. I also learned that we need to analyse people's expression, so we would know if they want our help or if they don't.